Patricia Ellen Grip

Patricia E. Grip, 85, a resident of Dorset, VT, went home to be with our Lord on March 30, 2025 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy NY, after a brief illness.

Pat was born in Passaic, NJ on September 13th, 1939, the daughter of the late Cecilia (Pavan) and Frank Herzig and lived her childhood years in North Bergen, NJ. She graduated from Weehawken High School (NJ) and married her high school sweetheart, Richard G. Grip of Secaucus, NJ, in 1960. Together they purchased a home in Secaucus where they raised their children and resided for 54 years before moving to Dorset, VT in 2018.

After starting her career as a legal secretary in New York City, Pat was a stay-at-home mom for many years before embarking on a new path as a pre-school teacher at St. Matthew’s Nursery School in Secaucus. She had an incredible passion for teaching 3- and 4-year olds, as she would light up when telling stories of how the children learned new skills. Many of her former students and their parents would continue to reach out to her long after she retired. Pat was also very involved in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church as a parishioner and had many friends in the Quilting Group and Ladies Aid at the church.

In later years after retiring and moving to Vermont to be closer to family, Pat became part of the Dorset and East Rupert Congregational Church helping out with the Rummage Sale and going to Bennington on the Aldi bus trips. Pat loved to cook, take care of her beloved husband, and have as many family dinner gatherings as possible.

Pat is survived by her husband of nearly 65 years, Richard G. Grip, children Donna Fichera (Keith Huntley) of Wyckoff, NJ and Richard S. Grip (Rehana) of East Dorset, VT, four siblings, Ronald Herzig, Arlene Lambert, Kenneth Herzig, and Robert Herzig, five grandchildren Vincent Fieg, Sarah Hager, Melissa Fichera, Meghan Grip, and Jillian Grip and two great-grandchildren, Thomas and Natalie Hager.

Pat was preceded in death by her sisters, Joyce Miller and Theresa Delimater.

A church service celebrating her life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Pat’s memory may be made to Neighbor to Neighbor or the Northshire Rescue Squad, both located in Manchester, VT c/o Brewster-Shea Funeral Service P.O. Box 885 Manchester Center, VT 05255.